28-Sep-2007 -- This year’s September study tour organized by the Mountain Guides Association of Wielkopolska Region had its base in Chata Barborka in Loučná pod Klínovcem-Háj settlement in the Ore Mountains. From there we used to set off for mountain hikes as well as for sightseeing tours around West Bohemia. We visited famous spas of Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) and Františkovy Lázně, medieval city of Cheb, the SOOS nature reserve with so-called “mini-volcanoes” (mofettes) and the castle in Bečov nad Teplou where the reliquary of St. Maurus is exhibited (it is recognized to be the second most precious work of art in the Czech Republic, right after the Czech crown jewels).

Unfortunately, for the last three days the weather was really bad, it was constantly raining and the sky was all covered with dark clouds. On the last day we saw the castle of Loket and then we went to Mariánské Lázně spa. Having seen almost 150 m long colonnade and the “singing” fountain I humbly proposed to my companion that we visit a confluence point which was ca. 20 km away. The weather was not encouraging for such an escapade but to my surprise they agreed to go there.

Via Teplá we reached a village of Prachomety, there we turned to the south and drove along Branišovský vrch (813 m) ridge where (according to the map) the CP was lying. It was still raining and mist hung over the forest. At 4 PM we arrived in the village of Branišov and parked the car just beyond the last houses of the settlement. It was cold, wet and dark so the ladies decided to stay in the car while the gentlemen set off for the search of the “zero” point. I had aerial pictures of the surroundings that suggested that we should have circled the hill at its bottom and then head directly towards the point.

Our first approach failed due to dense bushes on our way. We retreated and made the second attempt more to the east. Through a meadow we came to a pasture and a very muddy forest road. We followed it for about 600 m and then we started to climb up the hill. Rain was pouring continuously, trees and dark clouds were obscuring the sky and the readings of the GPS receiver were very unstable. We managed to come as close as 50 m from the confluence and then the signal got lost. It took another 15 minutes until the GPS displayed the coordinates again. I didn’t risk losing them again and settled for the position that we were at.

We took the usual pictures and following the same route we started the return leg. After 1¼-hour hike we were back at the car. We dried a bit, changed soaked shoes, got a candy bar as an award from our ladies and hit the road heading towards Karlovy Vary and then to Loučná pod Klínovcem-Háj. At 18:30 we arrived in Chata Barborka just in time for dinner. It was definitely the most wet confluence point I have ever visited.